Chimaera wanted-What to look for
Discussion
Looking for 1st TVR - Set mind on Chimaera 4.5 1997/98
in Roso Pearl,Cherry Pearl or Starmist Crimson, with Magnolia interior & would prefer full leather - Must have full TVR Service History and been serviced within the last 3 months. Bodywork must be perfect.Can anybody help please in what to look for with regards to faults etc. Seen one advertised a late 1998 @ £18k with 41k on the clock, is price to high for mileage? It's a standard 4.5 with no extras.
in Roso Pearl,Cherry Pearl or Starmist Crimson, with Magnolia interior & would prefer full leather - Must have full TVR Service History and been serviced within the last 3 months. Bodywork must be perfect.Can anybody help please in what to look for with regards to faults etc. Seen one advertised a late 1998 @ £18k with 41k on the clock, is price to high for mileage? It's a standard 4.5 with no extras.
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Seen one advertised a late 1998 @ £18k with 41k on the clock, is price to high for mileage? It's a standard 4.5 with no extras.
Milage a bit high? At least it's working - look at the service history, this will tell you a bit about how the car's been kept. Price OK - drive as many as you can. There can be big differences between 1998 standard 4.5s with 41K on the clock
Do you play golf?
On a more serious note, there is a view (which I totally endorse) that a regularly used TVR will present less trouble and niggles than an "only used in the dry, no track days, honest Guv" type which will be offered for more money.
Best have a couple of beer tokens in the kitty as well for one that needs to be sorted out from non-use.
Best have a couple of beer tokens in the kitty as well for one that needs to be sorted out from non-use.
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a regularly used TVR will present less trouble and niggles than an "only used in the dry, no track days, honest Guv" type which will be offered for more money.
Best have a couple of beer tokens in the kitty as well for one that needs to be sorted out from non-use.
Yup. Concur. Might I suggest a grand for an everyday one, a couple of/three grand for a garage heater.
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Looking for 1st TVR - Set mind on Chimaera 4.5 1997/98 in Roso Pearl,Cherry Pearl or Starmist Crimson, with Magnolia interior
Great choice they are luuuuverly cars
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& would prefer full leather
Bear in ming full hide is a 2 grand option when you buy new. Also, it is widely acknowledged that full hide need more attention. Have you seen the standard half-hide, it cold easily be mistaken for leather.
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Must have full TVR Service History and been serviced within the last 3 months.
This is a Chimaera with a Rover V8 and nowadays the best people to look after these are TVR specialists - not main dealers. The latter understandly focus on Speed6 and AJP8 engined cars. If you spend some time on this site you will quickly identify those reputable specialists.
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Bodywork must be perfect
Again a car that has been used - and as said above they are the one to go for - will have stonechips on the front. People who want to maintain their car in top condition will peobably fork out £600-£800 to have the front end resprayed every other year or so.
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Can anybody help please in what to look for with regards to faults etc.
This has been covered in many threads, Have you searched the archives?
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Seen one advertised a late 1998 @ £18k with 41k on the clock, is price to high for mileage? It's a standard 4.5 with no extras.
There are too many factor to take into consideration to figure whether this is a fair price or not. If the car is a minter, then this is a bargain. If it has been abused, then this expnsive.
Recommendation: Once you have found a model you are inteersted in, ask a specialist to check it for you - and I don't mean the AA or the RAC! (should cost less than £50, money well spent IMO.
Also, check this...www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15568&f=8&h=0&hw=findasportscar
Go for it they are great!
PS: I have a great 1998 4.5 Chimaera, which had a recent bonnet respray... but it is not for sale!
Thanks for response so far found ...www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=15568&f=8&h=0&hw=findasportscar very usefull. Big tip was it suggested asking somebody like David Batty to check car over 1st. I live near his place and was going to ask him to do service/repair work did'nt know he would check car over 1st, so I will give him a call once I have found one Im thinking of buying.
Scruff400 I only play golf in the dry and not very well.
Would still like more tips on what to look for before buying
>> Edited by NigelR on Wednesday 11th September 16:11
Scruff400 I only play golf in the dry and not very well.
Would still like more tips on what to look for before buying
>> Edited by NigelR on Wednesday 11th September 16:11
Are you looking for only private sales or considering dealers as well? If it is your first TVR it may be worth considering paying a bit more at a dealer.
You will get a service, usually a years tax, and usually a years warranty. If you like to haggle you can usually get up to a grand off the asking price.
I recently bought a Rosso Pearl Chimaera 450 with full magnolia hide, PAS, 33K miles. Power steering hose has a small leak which will be replaced under warranty.
Just gives you a bit more peace of mind.
You will get a service, usually a years tax, and usually a years warranty. If you like to haggle you can usually get up to a grand off the asking price.
I recently bought a Rosso Pearl Chimaera 450 with full magnolia hide, PAS, 33K miles. Power steering hose has a small leak which will be replaced under warranty.
Just gives you a bit more peace of mind.
I agree with the comments about David Batty - also agree with high mileage comments (ie. better to have one that works!)
I think the price is a bit high though - when you come to sell it in two years with 50/60k + on the clock - you might regret spending that much on it. (Although not while you are driving it!!)
Mickrw - I hope Hawthorns are giving you a good price!
I think the price is a bit high though - when you come to sell it in two years with 50/60k + on the clock - you might regret spending that much on it. (Although not while you are driving it!!)
Mickrw - I hope Hawthorns are giving you a good price!
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& would prefer full leather
Bear in ming full hide is a 2 grand option when you buy new. Also, it is widely acknowledged that full hide need more attention. Have you seen the standard half-hide, it cold easily be mistaken for leather.
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Have to disagree here.
1) Full leather cost the bloke who bought it new £2k. It won't cost you anything. But insisting on full hide will narrow your choice as there are fewer about.
2) It looks and feels much better than the half hide. Full leather means just about everything that could be is coated in leather.
3) Maintenance: The seat facings are the same and they take most of the beating. So no difference in care. On the other areas, you need to put hide food on one in a while. The hide has less of a grain than the vinyl. It is therefore easier to clean. Have a look at older half hide cars and you will often see engrained dirt in the vinyl. Quite often you will see the vinyl has cracked. Provided you feed the hide once in a while, it will definitely outlive plastics which become brittle with age.
I'm totally unbiased as my Griff has full hide
quick question about David Batty and Rob Ingley(sp?)
I've heard very good reports about both these gentlemen, just wanted to know exactly what the difference is service would be between finding a car youself and getting David to check it over before purchase, and getting Rob to source the car etc( appart from the obvious sourcing part of the service), I know how much Rob charges but how much does D batty charge for a full pre purchase checking service?? which of the two would you recommend??
Thanks
S
I've heard very good reports about both these gentlemen, just wanted to know exactly what the difference is service would be between finding a car youself and getting David to check it over before purchase, and getting Rob to source the car etc( appart from the obvious sourcing part of the service), I know how much Rob charges but how much does D batty charge for a full pre purchase checking service?? which of the two would you recommend??
Thanks
S
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quick question about David Batty and Rob Ingley(sp?)
I've heard very good reports about both these gentlemen, just wanted to know exactly what the difference is service would be between finding a car youself and getting David to check it over before purchase, and getting Rob to source the car etc( appart from the obvious sourcing part of the service), I know how much Rob charges but how much does D batty charge for a full pre purchase checking service?? which of the two would you recommend??
Thanks
S
Rob's yer man as far as I'm concerned, never heard anything bad about him at all, top bloke.
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